I've only just been told,
That in messages or texts,
It's peculiarly British,
To sign off with an X,
So don't misunderstand,
We mean no disrespect,
We don't mean to be forward,
We're not offering sex,
It's just a friendly gesture,
Attempting to inflect,
A gentle nod to friendship,
So thank you, XXX.
Liked this! I always put an X to friends or relations. There was the usual British journalist who spent a few months in Rome, and came back saying the Italian men called each other 'Darling'. Absolute rubbish! The posher classes may greet each other with 'Carissimo',
but it corresponds to the 1930's 'My dear fellow/ My dear chap'. They do give each other a peck on both cheeks if close relations, or to show sympathy at a funeral etc. When in Rome ............
Jennifer X?
I'm pleased Jason you've qualified
Where you sit with X
You're not a raving lunatic
Or sleaze, who's after sex
You've left us with... just British
My mind's left running wild
What else is left when sitting X?
To me it can't be mild......
And I've just found out that in some places in the world it might be considered rude to call someone, "Love." Where I'm from that's so culturally acceptable that I will call male friends that as well as female. It has about the same significance as saying mate. So if I've ever offended anyone with unwitting over familiarity, please bear with me, I'm not a raving lunatic or a sleaze, just British. Ok, that probably covers it.?
J. x
Golly gosh these comments
Have come 'long thick and fast
Some have educated me
Some left me aghast
Now Jason you've exposed
A hornet's nest of X
It seems an ending XXXXX
Does not mean give me sex
Now Mae, Jason, she's threatened
To call you 'Hason' mate
Another poem I saw she did
Think you're in trouble.....wait....
I see Mae's hidden X's
(Invisible) to you
It could be just a peck on cheek
Yes, we're all pleased too
You've got me going now Jason
Down here XXX (beer brand)
So signing off XXX
Means raise your beers in hand......
Devon Brock
Wed 26th Jun 2019 23:01
I never realized this Jason. I just thought it a peculiar way of signing off. I never made the connection. Thanks for the education.
And Mae - jaja - to a German means "yeah, whatever, go away" Pronounced "yaya"
Oh, oh! Be wary my friend, I might just start calling you that! Jaja! ?
h. h. ?
Mae
Actually Mae, I would say your intricate understanding of English is excellent, I don't think there are many (if any) colloquialisms you miss.
I just realised, my name in Spanish would be "Hason."
H X ?
It's interesting! The language barrier! Always makes me sound a bit stupid every time I don't catch a colloquialism in English! Another fun example is Spanish people spell "hahaha" "jajaja" because "j" is pronounced like an "h" ! ?
Hi Mae, yes you're absolutely right, it's an informal sign of affection between friends or can be much more, dependant on context but I didn't realise, as John pointed out that in America for instance it's quite provocative. I mean, either way, I'm not gonna stop doing it, but it is handy if people realise that you're not continually trying to come on to them.?
J. x
I always thought it stand for "kiss", a peck on the cheek or maybe more; to be interpreted by the context! When someone who isn't flirting with me writes x. I interpret it as a friendly greeting!
This was a lot of fun! It is fascinating noticing differing cultures and their vernacular usage differences that can infer different meanings.
To be honest, living in the USA, signing of with XXX would totally be provocative. Maybe it’s your secret way of giving a wink and a nod! ? thanks for sharing!
Ah, right, no, it denotes a kiss. Now it's true to say that people who are very close might end messages to each other like this, but to us Brits it is also the equivalent of a peck on the cheek that friends might share, and as the years have gone on it has come to represent just general affection as well. A bit like a suitable emoji. It all depends on the context of the message it's attached to.
J. x
Good answer??
J. x
Thanks Do.RoThy, I didn't even realise that this is apparently considered a bit flirty or over familiar to non-Brits, I mean I don't even know if that's absolutely true or not, but we do it with everyone, well most people I know do. Our old cleaner, our hairdresser, friends, family, acquaintances.
Do other nationalities do it as well or is it just not acceptable elsewhere?
J. x
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Jason Bayliss
Fri 28th Jun 2019 23:10
Thanks Jennifer. I never knew this was a peculiarly British thing, or that to some it might be over familiar. Cultural idiosyncrasies eh. Still like I said, I'm not changing ?.
J. x